Colombo’s legendary SSC Ground is finally stepping into the spotlight as floodlight installation begins ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, marking a historic shift for one of Sri Lanka’s most traditional cricket venues.
Colombo’s historic Sinhalese Sports Club Ground is undergoing a major transformation ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Floodlights and modern infrastructure upgrades are now being installed as Sri Lanka prepares to co host the global tournament with India from 7 February to 8 March 2026. This marks a significant change for SSC, which has traditionally been a venue for daytime cricket.
For decades, SSC has been associated with Test cricket, women’s internationals, and domestic fixtures played under natural light. Day night matches in Colombo have almost always been held at the R. Premadasa Stadium, the country’s largest-capacity venue. With the new schedule confirmed, SSC will now host five group stage matches, offering fans an entirely new experience at one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic cricket grounds.
The first match at SSC during the tournament will be on 7 February when Pakistan take on the Netherlands. This will be followed by the first floodlit fixture at SSC, Zimbabwe versus Oman on 9 February at 3.00 PM local time. The only night match scheduled for SSC is Pakistan versus USA on 10 February, beginning at 7.00 PM. The remaining games, Ireland versus Oman on 14 February and Pakistan versus Namibia on 18 February, will also contribute to SSC’s expanded role on the world stage.
Cricket officials believe that the introduction of floodlights will not only prepare SSC for World Cup duties but also open opportunities for future day night Tests and domestic leagues. They say this upgrade could reshape the direction of Sri Lankan cricket by expanding the number of venues capable of hosting matches under lights.
With work already in progress, the SSC Ground is set to reclaim its status as one of the nation’s premier cricket venues, now ready to shine under stadium lights.
